Port of Spain – Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith Tuesday said judicial officers were setting a “dangerous precedent” as it relates to the illegal entry of Venezuelan nationals into the country.
In a statement, Griffith said he had taken note of a recent court decision where 24 individuals who illegally entered the island “were simply reprimanded and discharged”.
Griffith said there is far too much liberty being afforded by judicial officers to the illegal Venezuelan entrants “which permeate our borders, without any form of redress for their misdeeds, and who are likely to be bringing the coronavirus (COVID-19) virus to our shores”.
Griffith said that there appears to be no deterrent factor being advanced by the judicial system and this can be tantamount to creating “an open invitation for non-nationals to come into our country illegally without fear of fine, imprisonment or repatriation”.
He said it should be noted that during the course of this pandemic the Immigration Act serves as part of the immune system of the country.
He said the legislation allows for anyone who enters the country illegally to be liable on summary conviction for a first offence to a fine of TT$50 000 and to imprisonment for three years, and on any subsequent conviction to a fine of TT$100 000 and to imprisonment for five years.
Griffith said that 12 people have been convicted of aiding and abetting Venezuelans to arrive through the illegal ports. He listed them as four Venezuelans, one Nigerian, a national of the Dominican Republic and six Trinidadians.
“They were each fined TT$1 500 although they could have been fined up to TT$50 000,” Griffith said.
He added that under the Proceeds of Crime Act, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) can seize the vehicles used in the transportation of these illegal immigrants.
Griffith also noted that the Public Health Ordinance provides the primary legislation used by the government in the declaration of COVID-19 as an infectious disease and a threat to the public’s health.
HE said pursuant to Section 105 of the Public Health Ordinance, the government made regulations for the purpose of protection of the population.
“In aid of this country’s immune system, the Commissioner of Police has a mandate by law to protect the citizens of the country within the confines of the laws. Further, the judicial system has a mandate to issue penalties upon those who wish to disregard these laws,” Griffith said.
The Commissioner of Police said it is “distressing to note that in the time of a pandemic, where the resources of this country are limited, that every integral part of this country’s “immunity” is not working in harmony for the protection of its people”.
He said that every facet of the law must act robustly to enforce the laws and regulations in place to create “an effective deterrent to those who wish to flout the protective measures taken by our government, especially in light of the sharp increase in the number of persons infected with COVID-19”. (CMC)
